All exams are stressful, and pre-exam anxiety is a real thing. There are lots of students that get nightmares and chills before tests. Undoubtedly, the urge to do your best and score a decent total is overwhelming.
However, the exam pressure doubles when you prepare for a medical or nursing school exam. One needs to score the best and only the best to stand out. Hence, the jitters are irresistible. Maximum students tend to focus only on multiple CNA practice exams and mock tests, compromising their physical and mental health.
This section intends to help you prepare for your nursing school exam. Here, you will find tips that you should remember during your life as a CNA aspirant.
Tips for CNA Practice Exams and Preparation
Nursing exams are daunting, but enough practice can help you float smoothly through the process. You can feel confident about your preparation and deliver the best in examination through simple tricks.
Plan Wisely and Timely
Planning comes before preparation. That is why planning to prepare is as important as the rest of the process.
Make sure to devise a realistic schedule beforehand. Start planning early on and never keep things for the last moment. Students who procrastinate end up burdening themselves and failing to deliver their best. Therefore, prepare yourself mentally by conditioning your mind on the number of things you have to memorize in the given time.
Know the Exam Coverage
It is preferable to seek a little advice before or during preparation. So, if you know a professor or someone who is already in the school, consult with them. Make a list of topics that such exams cover. Also, discuss the type of questions that are common and how long the exam takes.
One of the most effective ways to get the hang of any exam is to practice with past papers and mock tests. You only have to get your hands on some best CNA practice tests and study them thoroughly. Examine the format of these tests and learn from your mistakes every time you try to attempt them.
Think Critically Even During CNA Practice Test
Put your critical thinking cap on as soon as you sit down to study. Read the questions thoroughly before writing your answer down. This way, you are far less likely to misinterpret anything or miss a key phrase.
Once you have found your correct answer, do not second guess yourself. If you have taken enough time to answer, trust your reasoning and do not change that.
Try Eliminating Some Options
In multiple-choice questions, ruling out some options increase your likelihood of getting the correct answer. So, start practicing elimination in CNA practice tests. Begin by erasing responses that are not related. Then, focus your thinking on a couple of accurate ones.
Some examiners add distractive responses as well. They include these to judge your skills, so you might want to eliminate them. For instance, if a question demands intervention, but some of the options are symptoms, rule them out. Focus only on the answers that closely resemble the correct response.
All That Cramming Takes You Nowhere
Remember that smart study will always be superior to cramming. Medical school exams appear daunting, and you might want to memorize everything in the books. But, with mere cramming of theory, you are heading nowhere.
While revisiting your syllabus a day before the exam, do not start reading from scratch. Make flow charts and maps of everything that you know. Making bullet lists and pie charts is also a great way to revise. If you have a skill for drawing, make diagrams.
Audio-Visual Aids to the Rescue
As we discuss effective methods of studying, we cannot help but mention visual aids. Transform your notes into flash cards because they are significantly useful in remembering things better. You can also make a flash card of your mistakes in the CNA practice exam to avoid them later.
In addition, mnemonics have also helped several student nurses to remember essential information. The usage of keywords or acronyms connects new learning to previous knowledge by using visual and audio cues.
Techniques for Prioritization
The answers to some questions demand prioritization. Such questions usually include the words initial, first, best, etc. The choices to such questions are all related and correct. In such a situation, you will have to pick an option after a careful analysis.
Here are a couple of techniques for prioritizing:
- Airway, Breathing, and Circulation (ABC) – for statements regarding airway problems. These ABCs will help you identify top priorities while devising an intervention for airway management.
- Abraham Maslow says physiological needs like water, food, and sleep come before security and psychosocial needs. His proposed Hierarchy of Needs is applicable to complex patients with multiple issues.
However, before jumping on to planning or instituting interventions, ensure a thorough check. Question yourself if you need more data before calling a doctor or beginning with intervention.
A Healthy Body Fosters a Healthy Mind
It is absolutely normal to stress out while preparing for a nursing school exam. The best ways to handle your anxiety are adequate sleep and a balanced diet. Moreover, performing relaxing activities can also help your brain act better. The exercise can be as simple as visualizing yourself doing well in the test.
Life as a CNA requires you to be physically and mentally sound. One must start taking care of their diet and sleep timely. It does not only help you concentrate better but also relaxes your mind for better thinking.
Wrapping Up
These are only a few tips to help you prepare for your nursing school exam. There is always room for better approaches to dealing with things. However, whatever your method might be, everything will base on your ability to plan ahead. You ought to have clear goals and objectives in mind.
Nursing professions and preparing for nursing school ask for dedication and commitment. All you have to do is practice, practice, and practice until you achieve your goals. So, identify your weak areas and start working on them to see improvement.